Software engineer jobs with UK visa sponsorship
What software engineer roles pay against the Skilled Worker going rate, and who can sponsor.
Checked against gov.uk on
The short answer
For a Skilled Worker visa, a software engineer job usually has to pay at least £54,700 a year: the going rate for SOC 2134 (programmers and software development professionals), which is above the £41,700 general salary threshold. A new entrant can be paid from £38,300. Figures from the Home Office going-rate tables, updated 11 November 2025.
Software engineers design, build and maintain the code behind products and internal systems, from web apps to payment platforms.
Worked example: SOC 2134
The rule on gov.uk is whichever figure is higher. Here is the sum for this occupation code.
| Who | How it is worked out | At least |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced hire | The higher of £41,700 (general salary threshold) and £54,700 (going rate) | £54,700 |
| New entrant | The higher of £33,400 (new-entrant minimum) and £38,300 (70% of the going rate) | £38,300 |
Who counts as a new entrant is set out on gov.uk: for example, people under 26, or people on (or recently on) a Student visa at degree level or a Graduate visa. The total stay on new-entrant rates cannot be more than 4 years, including time on a Graduate visa. Read when you can be paid less on gov.uk.
How many visas were granted for these occupation codes?
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SOC 2134 Programmers and software development professionals
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 2,550 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas to main applicants applying from outside the UK for this occupation code.
The industries sponsors gave most often for these visas: Information and Communications (1,083); Financial and Insurance Activities (689); and Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (416).
The most common nationalities among them: India (712), United States (198) and Russia (160).
| Occupation code | Jul to Sep 2025 | Oct to Dec 2025 | Jan to Mar 2026 (provisional) | Apr to Jun 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2134 | 852 | 596 | 541 | 561 |
Visas applied for from outside the UK only: switches inside the UK, for example from a Student or Graduate visa, are not counted. The sponsor chooses the occupation code and the industry. A small number of grants that could not be matched to a certificate of sponsorship are not included. Figures for January to June 2026 are provisional. Source: Home Office, Sponsored work entry clearance visas by occupation and industry (SOC 2020), year ending June 2026 (published 27 August 2026). Immigration system statistics data tables.
What the rules say for software engineer jobs
SOC 2134 (programmers and software development professionals) is on the Home Office table of graduate-level occupations (RQF level 6 and above), which is open to new Skilled Worker applications.
For programmers and software development professionals (SOC 2134), the going rate of £54,700 is above the £41,700 general threshold, so the going rate is the bar for an experienced hire: at least £54,700 a year. A new entrant can be paid from £38,300.
The Home Office lists these job titles under 2134: Software developers, Programmers and software development professionals (other), Computer games designers and Computer programmers.
What sponsors look for in software engineer hires
Banks, fintechs, consultancies and product companies all hold licences, so the supply is real. The catch is the going rate: software development carries one of the higher rates in the tables, so an experienced hire needs a salary well above the general threshold.
Graduate schemes are where the new-entrant rate does the most work. If a graduate offer sits between the new-entrant rate and the full going rate, it can still qualify while you count as a new entrant. Check that the job title and duties genuinely match software development, because the employer picks the code.
Early roles are usually titled graduate, junior or associate software engineer. Interviews tend to mix a coding exercise with a conversation about something you have built, so a small public project or a well-explained university project helps.
Rules change: always check gov.uk for the current thresholds, and when you can be paid less.
The evidence on every job in Visavi
AI VERDICT
Strong apply
Your profile fits, and the advert says they can sponsor.
UK SPONSOR REGISTER
- Organisation
- Northbank Analytics
- Town
- London
- Type and rating
- Worker (A rating)
- Route
- Skilled Worker
FROM THIS ADVERT
"We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route."
WHAT THIS MEANS
The advert says they can sponsor. Those are their words, not a promise they will sponsor you.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a software engineer on a Skilled Worker visa?
Usually the higher of £41,700 and the going rate for the occupation code. For SOC 2134 that is £54,700 a year, and a new entrant can be paid from £38,300. The figures come from the Home Office tables updated 11 November 2025; check gov.uk before you rely on them.
Which occupation code is a software engineer job?
The employer chooses the code from the duties of the job, not the title. Visavi maps software engineer roles to SOC 2134 (programmers and software development professionals). Job titles the Home Office lists under 2134 include Software developers, Programmers and software development professionals (other), Computer games designers and Computer programmers.
Can a graduate software engineer be paid the new-entrant rate?
Yes, if they count as a new entrant under the published rules: for example, people under 26, or people on (or recently on) a Student visa at degree level or a Graduate visa. For SOC 2134 the new-entrant rate is £38,300. It can be used for up to 4 years in total, including time on a Graduate visa. Check when you can be paid less on gov.uk.
How many Skilled Worker visas were granted for the occupation codes software engineer jobs use?
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 2,550 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas to main applicants applying from outside the UK for SOC 2134 (programmers and software development professionals).
Sources
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (going rates) Updated 11 November 2025
- Skilled Worker visa: your job
- Skilled Worker visa: when you can be paid less
- Home Office: sponsored work visas by occupation and industry Sponsored work entry clearance visas by occupation and industry (SOC 2020), year ending June 2026, published 27 August 2026